87-Year-Old Fashion Legend Bob Mackie’s Cause of Death: Everything We Know

Bob Mackie, the highly regarded costume designer who worked with Cher, died on September 14. He was 87 years old at the time of his passing. Shortly after, the cause of his death was confirmed. A representative told PEOPLE that the fashion legend died of pneumonia. The news of Mackie’s death was broken via his Instagram page. His team wrote in a message,

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today. He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.

In the comments section of the post, fans were seen mourning. Many from across the globe poured out tributes to the designer who worked with the likes of Cher, Carol Burnett, and Diana Ross. Mackie died around 10:40 a.m. in Palm Springs, California, according to PEOPLE.

Who Was Bob Mackie

Bob Mackie dies at 87 | Credit: Instagram/Bob Mackie

Born in 1939 in the Los Angeles suburbs, Mackie always had a passion for fashion. In 2021, he told PEOPLE, “I always knew what I wanted to be.” Before meeting Cher, he got his first high-profile gigs on The Carol Burnett Show. Burnett said in 2010 (via PEOPLE) that he designed 50 costumes per week for the popular show that ran from 1967 to 1978.

After meeting Cher on the set of the show, he began designing her outfits. Mackie continued working with the singer for The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, which premiered in 1971. Their collaboration soon became headline news and changed fashion forever. The legendary designer said that when Cher started wearing halter dresses, everyone else followed in her footsteps. The dress he made for her for the 1986 Oscars was probably the most daring creation of that era. Her skin-baring, sequined dress, paired with a giant feather headpiece, was the highlight of that year’s Oscars.

Mackie was, in fact, not on board with her wearing it at the award ceremony, as he feared it would shift the spotlight towards her as a presenter. But Cher went with it anyway, and fashion earned an iconic moment.

The designer tried entering the ready-to-wear and couture industry, but it didn’t satisfy his creative needs. Mackie said that it was more fun for him to “create a character or a look for a show.” In his legendary career, he went on to become a nine-time Emmy winner, while having 32 nominations in total. Mackie also earned three Oscar nominations for his work on the movies Pennies From Heaven, Lady Sings the Blues, and Funny Lady. In 2002, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.